Reading and Reviews (Ligon and Evanovich)

I'm an author, but I'm also a reader. From time to time, I'llshare my reviews of present and past reads. My available time to read islimited because I write, but I love to curl up with a paperback or an eBook atnight for the last hour of my day. 

I tend to read what I write, but not exclusively. BesidesRomantic Suspense and mystery, I read crime and law novels, once in a while atrue story, WWII historicals, romance, and mainstream character driven books.

Here are some of the books I've read recently or in the not-too-distant past.Maybe you'll discover a new book or author.

Polly's List by Kim Janine Ligon

CJ Reynolds couldn't wait toescape his hometown. He's loving his bachelor life as a software developer inCalifornia. So much so that he hasn't been back in years to see the grandmotherwho raised him.

Mikal Benson believes her small town is perfect for raising her son, Will,alone. When Mikal finds her neighbor, Polly Rogers, sprawled on the floor in apool of blood, barely clinging to life, she calls Polly's grandson - CJReynolds - and insists he must come home. Now!

From her coma, Polly whispers three words that change everything. Did she fallor was she pushed? CJ, Mikal, and Will form an unlikely team coming together todiscover the truth as danger engulfs them and love transforms them into afamily.

My Review:

I’m a big fan of characterdriven stories. Ms. Ligon shines with her characterizations of Polly, hergrandson CJ, Mikal, and Will. The last is a child, and although I think childrenare particularly difficult to write realistically, the author pulls it off. Ireally enjoyed not much liking CJ in the beginning. He didn’t pay enoughattention to Polly over the years. When he finally comes home, and Polly is ina coma, we watch as his personality is revealed to us in more depth. This is amystery that unfolds and keeps you guessing. It’s entertaining and enjoyable.Recommended.

Tricky Twenty-two by Janet Evanovich

Stephanie Plum might not be theworld’s greatest bounty hunter, but she knows when she’s being played. KenGlobovic (aka Gobbles), hailed as the Supreme Exalted Zookeeperof the animalhouse known as Zeta fraternity, has been arrested for beating up the dean ofstudents at Kiltman College. Gobbles has missed his court date and gone intohiding. People have seen him on campus, but no one will talk. Things justaren’t adding up, and Stephanie can’t shake the feeling that something funny isgoing on at the college—and it’s not just Zeta fraternity pranks.
 
As much as people love Gobbles, they hate Doug Linken. When Linken is gunneddown in his backyard it’s good riddance, and the list of possible murdersuspects is long. The only people who care about finding Linken’s killer areTrenton cop Joe Morelli, who has been assigned the case, security expertRanger, who was hired to protect Linken, and Stephanie, who has her eye on acash prize and hopefully has some tricks up her sleeve.

My Review:

I took a break from Stephanie Plumnovels as they tend to feel the same. Eventually, you get enough. But I cameback and read Tricky Twenty-two and enjoyed it for all the same reasons Ialways do these books. Funny and entertaining.